The AFL-CIO’s super PAC raised just $2.2 million in the first three months of this year, according to a campaign finance report released Friday. That’s $1.5 million less than the Workers Voice super PAC brought in during the last quarter of 2011.

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Overall, the union super PAC has raised just under $6 million this election cycle, and ended March with about $4 million in the bank.

The latest fundraising reports from the AFL-CIO super PAC and other labor groups are the most recent indication that union super PACs aren’t likely to emerge as a counter force to well-heeled conservative groups. Just one conservative juggernaut, the Karl Rove-linked super PAC American Crossroads ended February with $23.5 million cash on hand, according to its latest reports.

AFL-CIO spokesman Jeff Hauser said the labor organization isn’t trying to compete with conservative groups in the costly air wars expected to define the 2012 election season.

“Despite being lumped into discussions together with corporate Super PACs, we aren’t attempting to compete with corporate Super PACs in fundraising because we aren’t going to be running ads,” Hauser said. “Under the new normal of Citizens United, the right will enjoy a permanent funding edge. But we will be activating and empowering networks of grassroots activists that will use old fashioned energy combined with cutting edge technology to build a ground game the right can’t dream of competing with. “

The AFL-CIO’s super PAC announced earlier this week that its super PAC won’t be focused on supporting the Democratic Party or specific candidates. At the top of the group’s agenda is an effort to counter “voter protection” efforts they say are making it more difficult for voters to cast a ballot, including in states like Florida. They also plan to organize meetings for workers across the country.

Another labor super PAC — the NEA Advocacy Fund — raised $3 million in the first quarter of this year, thanks to member dues contributed by the union. The group had$2.8 million on hand by the end of last month.

The National Education Association’s super PAC gave $500,000 last month to the labor coalition We Are Wisconsin Political Fund, a group that’s working to oust embattled Republican Gov. Scott Walker and a major spender in the 2011 efforts to recall state lawmakers.

And the American Worker, a labor-backed super PAC that supports Latino Democratic congressional candidates, raised just $41,000 in the first quarter of 2012. The group’s leader Chuck Rocha said earlier this year that he hoped to raise between $5 million and $15 million this cycle.

Still, labor groups are stockpiling cash in their traditional PACs, which they have long used to help boost their favored candidates. For example, the Service Employees International Union PAC ended February with more than $13 million in the bank and the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees had $6.6 million cash on hand in its political action committee.

I wish someone would explain who it is that is being hurt by asking for id to vote? It doesn't make sense to me - you have to have ID to go on a plane, to go to a hospital, to cash a check, and even to buy cold medicine. Who are these people that don't have ID's?

Just raise the dues some more! The slugs in the union have to work and will pay the dues to keep their jobs. How else will Obama be able to pay off the unions without donations from the unions? The round circle of corruption!

Unions require I.D. in order to vote in their elections! They also want a secret ballot when they go into the voting booth except when the vote is for creating a new union. Big Labor wants one set of rules for them and another for everyone else.

Myki: "Take a minute and go on line and type in HOW DO VOTER ID LAWS DISCRIMINATE ."........................Right. Just the place to go in order for someone to tell you what to think. Thanks anyway. Reasonable people can figure it out for themselves. People could also type in VOTER FRAUD, and get an alternative view, but you wouldn't like it if they did.